Page 90 of Bitten Vampire

“Not about this. This isn’t right. I’ll carry Simone to her room. I can’t believe you had the gall to spell her. She’s going to be furious when she wakes up. Do you have an antidote?” Tony demands.

“She will wake soon enough,” I murmur, “but you had better tie her to a chair before she does.”

“I’ve known this woman for fifty years,” James protests. “The rest of you have known her for centuries. Now you believe a stranger over Simone?”

“I certainly wouldn’t have knocked her out if I’d had any other choice.”

Harrison stares at his glass, slides it onto a side table, and watches me as though he expects everyone to drop. His fists clench, and he looks ready to snap my neck at the slightest excuse.

The others look utterly bewildered. James seems frightened, shaking his head as he stares at Simone, disbelief etched across his features.

After everything, they still do not trust me, and I understand. They have no idea what I can do, and for my own safety I’m in no hurry to enlighten them.

“Give us a moment.” Valdarr draws me aside, away from the others, into another room. “This office is soundproof. How much more do you know?”

“A few hours ahead, then nothing,” I whisper. “And I wish I didn’t know even that.”

“Can you tell me anything about what’s coming?”

“No.” I shake my head. “One detail could shift everything. The future feels delicate—dangerous—and I don’t yet understand the rules. Instinct says one wrong word might shatter it.” My lower lip trembles. “I’m frightened. This power scares me, Valdarr.”

He pulls me to his chest and folds his arms around me. Just what I need. After a minute, I reluctantly step back, and his intense gaze darkens. “How vivid are your visions?”

“They feel real. I’m there, watching, a ghost. I can’t interact, but I can move.”

The words pour out. This time nothing blocks them, no overwhelming dread like everything will fall apart if I speak. Even my power knows I’m safe with him.

“It’s strange. I don’t knowhowto explain it, but when I’m in a vision, thirty seconds here can be hours for me. Tonight I knew what would happen. I knew what to say so we could walk out alive.”

“You did back-to-back visions for hours,” he says, horrified.

I close my eyes, letting myself feel the full despair of my gift. It’s a curse. “I saw you die. I saw us die again and again. I don’t know how it works. Perhaps every change splits the timeline, and those versions of us… end. I’m no theoretician, but I know this is dangerous.”

My voice wavers. “Maybe we have only delayed the inevitable, but we are still here, and this is the last piece of the path I know.”

“I’m sorry you faced that alone,” he says softly.

I shake off my melancholy. “I wasn’t entirely alone, you were there, even if you couldn’t see me.” I manage a small smile. “Across all those visions I saw you—saw the man you are. You call me ‘sunshine,’ but you are the one who’s blinding. I was terrified and confused about being your mate, yet now I understand. I see you.”

I open my eyes and meet his gaze. “Us—this—will take adjustment.” I rest a hand on his chest. “I watched you protect me. I have watched you die for me so many times. And I realised… you are not merely a good man. You, Valdarr Blóðvakt, Raven of the North, are extraordinary. I’m scared, but I would be honoured to share this life with you, if you will have me.”

“Is this your romantic declaration?” he asks, wiping my cheeks before kissing me. “I can tell you practised. Why are you crying? That was a ten out of ten.”

“Because I’m overwhelmed.”

He gently grips my upper arms, solemn. “I’m all in, Fred. And you never have to use your power again. We will find another way, together.”

“I have this magic for a reason. Part of me wants to run, wrap you in bubble wrap and keep you safe forever, but we can’t, can we?” I glance at the door—the clan waits beyond it, Simone still unconscious. “No. We can’t.”

He tries to lighten the mood. “I haven’t got nice boobs, but I do have great abs.”

He lifts his shirt. I laugh despite myself. “Yes, your abs are beautiful.”

He smiles. “If we are together, things will work out. Let’s sort this mess out first.” He starts for the door.

Softer, I add, “For what it’s worth, I hope you understand why I couldn’t tell you, and I’m sorry about Simone. If we don’t restrain her—” I stop and swallow hard. Ican’tfinish the thought.

“Say no more,” he murmurs.